[SBC] City Report 6-19-07

[SWinslow at ci.somerville.ma.us]

To: Somerville Bike Committee

From: Stephen Winslow, Senior Planner

Subject: City Report for June 19, 2007

Here's my regular city report:  Please note that I am unable to attend this
Tuesday's meeting

1. Status of committee memberships:  I provided a written update to Lisa
Lepore on the status of re-appointments to the committee. Lisa and I plan to
meet with the new director of Strategic Planning and Community Development
in late June or early July to provide the new director background on the
formation and work of the Committee in the next few weeks.  The new director
walks rather than drives and I hear her husband's s bid bicyclist. I expect
her to be very supportive so its important to build a good relationship. 

2. Somerville Community Path: 

a. Davis Square: A final set of comments on the Path reconstruction should
be completed by next week. I met with Rebekah Gewirtz to discuss the plans
to continue to route the Path through the parking lot. The proposal going
forward will seek to avoid any impact on the Community Garden but will
involve carving out room for at least two parking spaces near the Gardens.
DPW and the Fire Department have commented on the plans. I am waiting to
hear back from Traffic & Parking  

b. Cedar to Central: I am meeting this week to plot out a schedule to design
and construct the Community Path park. 

c.	The Tufts Students report on  Ball Square will be presented at the
June 25th STEP meeting.  

d.	MaxPack Zoning: the package passed through the Board of Alderman
with many of the changes recommended by the Bicycle Committee. John Gannon
is taking the lead on ensuring the MBTA lease reflects the City's interest
related to future Path construction.  

c.	Other: I am attending a Rails to Trails meeting to discuss future
strategies to fund trails. 

3. Davis Square Bike Route signs: Groundwork starting on way-finding signs..


4. Safe-START: Met with DPW and submitted a proposal for bond funding to
start a pilot program. 

5. Mystic River Paths

			*	Senator Barrios had a follow-up walk that
the new Director attended. The walk went through the MBTA yard. There
appears to have been progress on the MBTA easement. 

6. MAPC Bike Rack Program: A BOA request has been made for the City to
participate in the program. I expect the request to be approved by the BOA
by the end of June. We may potentially be able to get more racks than
originally planned. 
 
7. Assembly Square:
		a.	Phase I letter: Both the Communications office and
the new Director expressed concern about the independent comment on the
Phase I waiver request.   

8. Active Living: The Somerville Path may be featured on Nightline as part
of a story on the Tufts Shape-up Somerville program. Nicole Rioles attended
the National Meeting of Grantees. The Focus is on sustaining the program
into the future. 

9. Eastern Mystic River Coalition: No Report

10. Road Projects. 
Somerville Ave: Has started. Patching okay for bikes for now
Beacon Street: Postponed until 2010 TIP. Plans for developing 100% design in
2008
East Broadway: Some work at Lombardi as part of IKEA effort 
	School Street Bike Lanes: ???

11. DCR - Alewife Brook Trail:   No Report

12. MA Central / East Coast Greenway Route from Boston north: No Report
 



Stephen Winslow
Senior Planner
City of Somerville
93 Highland Avenue
Somerville MA 02143
617-625-6600 x2519